It is one of the most common symptoms of the coronavirus and the one that worries patients the most: respiratory discomfort. More or less acute depending on the case, it does not always inspire concern. But when should you consult or call 15? Doctor Jimmy Mohamed, doctor and columnist of Europe 1, explains two simple tests to do at home.
Measure your respiratory rate
You can first measure your respiratory rate, which is the number of breaths taken in one minute. Inhale then exhale and count the number of cycles over a minute. If you exceed 20 cycles per minute, you are in "polypnea" and you must quickly contact a doctor to assess your situation.
To calculate your breathing rate more reliably, it is best to have someone else count. Indeed, you will focus on your breathing and you may lose the thread.
Calculate your Roth score
The other way to find out if you're embarrassed to breathe is to calculate your Roth score. For this, you need to take a deep breath, then count from 1 to 30, clearly but quickly, in your native language. Next, you need to analyze two pieces of information: how much did you manage to count and how long did it take you to count?
If you can only count to a maximum of 10, or if you have had to take a breath within 7 seconds, it means that your oxygen level in the blood is below 95%, with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 83%.
If you cannot count beyond 7 or if you have to take a breath within 5 seconds, this means that your oxygen level is below 90%, with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 82% . This situation should prompt you to contact 15 on an urgent basis.
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These tests are not 100% reliable but should reassure you if things are going well. They allow a first sorting and screening. They are sometimes used by some doctors. If you have any doubts, you should contact 15.